[MilCom] P-8A Ready to Deploy

[Greg Brazil]

P-8A Aircraft Program Achieves Initial Operational Capability
Story Number: NNS131129-16Release Date: 11/29/2013 8:07:00 PM
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By LaToya T. Graddy Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft Program 
Office (PMA-290) Public Affairs

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (NNS) -- The Navy's newest maritime patrol and 
reconnaissance aircraft, the P-8A Poseidon, has achieved initial 
operational capability (IOC) after the first two P-8A Poseidons departed 
for deployment Nov. 29.

This announcement comes weeks after the completion of the Operational 
Readiness Evaluation of the first deploying P-8A Poseidon squadron and 
the commander of Patrol and Reconnaissance Group officially declaring 
the first P-8A squadron, Patrol Squadron 16 (VP-16), "prepared for 
deployment" Nov. 4.

"This IOC declaration is the culmination of years of careful planning 
and coordinated effort by the fleet, resource sponsor, acquisition 
community, and industry," said Capt. Scott Dillon, program manager for 
Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft Program Office (PMA-290).

By achieving IOC, the Navy can effectively deploy the P-8A for 
operational missions and continue to successfully transition from the 
aging P-3C. The Poseidon program is on track for completing the 
remaining preparations for the first operational deployment of a P-8A 
squadron.

"With the P-3 to P-8 transition well underway at Jacksonville, VP-16 is 
executing an Inter-Deployment Readiness Cycle and is on track to be the 
first P-8 squadron to deploy. VP-5 has completed their P-8 transition, 
and VP-45 has commenced P-8 transition after returning from deployment 
this past summer. In addition to leading the fleet transition process, 
VP-30 is also producing P-8 qualified replacement personnel for direct 
accession into P-8 qualified squadrons," said Rear Adm. Matt Carter, 
Commander Patrol and Reconnaissance Group. "There has never been a 
greater need for a new patrol and reconnaissance aircraft now that the 
aging P-3 is nearing the end of its life cycle. The P-8 is a true 
multi-mission platform, which will continue to provide us invaluable 
capabilities."

"The number of submarines in the world is increasing rapidly. Other 
countries are either building or purchasing advanced, quiet, and 
extremely hard to find submarines and we need to be able to match that 
technology to be able to detect them. The P-8, along with the Triton, 
will strengthen the maritime mission and provide greater situational 
awareness," Carter added.

This year was filled with crucial programmatic milestones for the 
program office, including the successful completion of Initial 
Operational Test and Evaluation and the on-going delivery of initial 
production aircraft in support of the first three P-3 to P-8 squadron 
transitions. To date, 12 low rate initial production aircraft were 
delivered to the fleet, and the final aircraft in the second production 
lot is on-track to deliver ahead of schedule and prior to the end of the 
year.

The program office along with the P-8 Fleet Integration Team in Naval 
Air Station (NAS) Jacksonville, Fla., is continuing to support the 
transitioning squadrons with training by also using the P-8A Integrated 
Training Center (ITC). The ITC is meeting training requirements of the 
Fleet Replacement Squadron, VP-30, and the transitioning squadrons.

"We are pleased the P-8A has been, and continues to be, on cost and on 
schedule," Dillon said. "The program office is continuing to support the 
needs of the fleet and deliver an aircraft that recapitalizes and 
improves upon the capabilities of its predecessor; greatly enhancing the 
effectiveness of the Navy's forward deployed squadrons."
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RELATED PHOTOS
131129-N-ZZ999-017 JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Nov. 29, 2013) -Patrol Squadron 
(VP) 16 Commanding Officer Cmdr. Bill Pennington Jr. takes off on a P-8A 
Poseidon No. 429 aircraft from Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Nov. 29.
Download High Resolution
131129-N-ZZ999-017 JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Nov. 29, 2013) Patrol Squadron 
(VP) 16 Commanding Officer Cmdr. Bill Pennington Jr. takes off on a P-8A 
Poseidon No. 429 aircraft from Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Nov. 29. 
The take-off represents the squadron's historic first operational 
deployment of the Poseidon within the Navy's maritime patrol and 
reconnaissance community. (U.S. Navy photo by Clark Pierce/Released)
November 29, 2013
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